Marie Clements’ ‘How We Stand’ Examines Indigenous Trauma Through Three Sisters’ Lives
Marie Clements’ new film, 'How We Stand,' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, exploring the lasting impacts of the 1956 Indian Relocation Act and the 1970s sterilization of Native women. The narrative follows three orphaned sisters—Jessie, Miranda, and Janey—whose lives diverge after their mother’s death in a police raid in Los Angeles. Set in 1950s Oklahoma and 1973 Los Angeles, the movie uses magical realism to address systemic racism, cultural erasure, and personal trauma. Amber Midthunder leads the cast as Jessie, a doctor navigating assimilation, while the film critiques the passive racism of well-meaning white characters. The production is currently seeking U.S. distribution.